Student Leaders Are Our Future

Compassionenergy and selfless service are the hallmarks of students wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of children born with cleft lip and cleft palate.

Group of student leaders

Attention Canadian Students

Are you interested in making a difference in the world? Look no further! Enjoy these testimonies of student and youth leaders from across Canada describing why they’re motivated to volunteer and fundraise with us. We greatly appreciate your compassion and support towards our cause. Together, we will change and heal the world, one smile at a time.

Elementary

We have groups of students across Canada who begin their engagement and fundraising early! Sometimes it is because of the compassionate leadership and direction of a teacher, sometimes it is led by family or friends. We are here to support elementary school students and educators with tools, resources, encouragement, and recognition for their efforts, all while helping them become good global citizens.

Elementary school presentation
Northern Secondary Group Student Volunteers

High School

In Canada, many high school students are required to log community volunteer service hours to graduate. Even if it is not part of the curriculum, the youth of today care deeply about causes and want to get involved and help. Operation Smile offers several leadership development opportunities and global initiatives.

University/Post Secondary

Once exposed to philanthropy, students continue to engage at the undergraduate and graduate level to form deeper connections with causes they care about. Forming official clubs, hosting fundraising events, or participating in student leadership initiatives are all ways undergraduate and graduate students can make a difference.

ULead Western University

Get Involved

We believe in the power of YOUth to make a positive difference in the lives of children born with cleft conditions all over the world.

Whether you are starting an Operation Smile Club, joining an existing club, want to start your own project, or want to learn more about Operation Smile Student Programs – we have resources that will help answer all of your questions.

Independent Initiatives

If you are interested in embarking on a volunteer project individually or with family or friends outside of school the possibilities are endless!

Join the cohort of student and youth leaders across Canada.

Team Projects

There are more than 900 Operation Smile Student Clubs and associations around the world. Each one helps to build awareness, raise funds, and educate students about our core values of integrity, compassion, impact and resilience.

GET IN TOUCH! Social Media Channels

We want you to follow us and #shareyourstories on our social media channels! By following us you will receive updates from Operation Smile, learn about exciting opportunities and keep informed about upcoming surgical programs and all the great work we do!

Follow our social media channels & share our posts!

CONTACT US! If you have any questions or need any support please email us at [email protected]
or call us at (647) 696-0600 or toll free at 1-844-376-4530.

Tools & Resources

Online Fundraising Pages

Longest Day of SMILES

If you prefer to be a part of a larger annual fundraising campaign, please join the Longest Day of Smiles, celebrated each year in June.

mySMILE

If you have your own idea and want to share our cause with family and friends, mySMILE may be the site for you.

Cycle for Smiles

If you prefer to be a part of a fitness inspired online fundraising campaign, please join Cycle for Smiles.

Cycle for Smiles began in 2022. Information coming soon on our next event.

Guatemala health care

Tribute & Memorial Giving

To honour a loved one’s birthday, special occasion or honour/remember their life with the gift of a new smile, consider making a gift in tribute or memorial.

Learn Moreabout tribute giving.
Learn Moreabout memorial giving.

Community Resources

Fundraising toolkits

Interested in hosting an event to support children born with cleft conditions? Download the appropriate toolkit here.

Posters to print

Need some posters to spread the word about your planned event?

Social media assets

Don’t forget to tag us when you use pre-approved social media assets to promote your event.

Donation Tracking & Submission Form

Download and use this form to track donors and provide us the information we need to prepare and issue official tax receipts.

Receipting “Rules”

Want to understand if gifts to your event will be eligible for a tax receipt? Use the form below.

Fundraising Guidelines & Application

Interested in conducting a fundraiser in support of Operation Smile Canada? Start here by reviewing our general guidelines that will help set you up for success.

More ways to get involved

Employer Matching gifts

You can make the impact of your personal gifts go even further. Check here to see if your employer has a matching gift program.

Speaking Engagements

Interested in having an Operation Smile representative (Staff or volunteer) speak at an upcoming event?

Improv Workshops

A workshop can be booked for individuals and families living with cleft conditions OR set up as an informative school, employee or community group anti-bullying module.